There is much joy throughout the land today, as Rich and I are off to visit my mom in Lake Placid for the weekend. Notice I said "my mom" and not "#4 and my mom"? That is because (drumroll please) he's not there. He is (if you can believe this) in Denmark visiting the dying au pair who raised him. You can't make this stuff up, people. #4 is a silver spoon trust fund baby whose parents foisted him off on a variety of "house staff" while they went about their daily lives. However, cute and dimply Ricky Schroeder he is not.

So my mom is #4-less, and invited us up to visit her, knowing full well it would be a cold day in hell before we'd EVER visit her with him there. In fact, my mom has been married to him for almost three years now, and I've never even seen where they live (she moved into his house). And in three years, I've called "their" house exactly once, and that was to tell mumsy that I was pregnant (she calls me every weekend).

I will post a recap of the weekend on Monday.

My doctor called yesterday afternoon, and I don't have gestational diabetes. Yay! I am however, still anemic, so now I have to take two iron pills a day instead of one. My digestive system is going to love me for that one.

I'll leave you with a scone recipe I tried recently. I am a big fan of scones, since visiting Fortnum and Mason in London 11 years ago and enjoying High Tea there, which included my first intro to scones. And clotted cream. Mmmm...

This recipe came from Joy of Baking. The aroma of lemons in your kitchen while making and baking these scones is heavenly. Next time I make these, I'll probably add a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon juice, to make the finished product even more lemony.

Directions1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (I used a scone pan). In an electric mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, combine flour, butter, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix at low speed until the mixture remsebles coarse sand.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup cream, 2 eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla. Add the cream mixture to the flour mixture, and beat on low speed until just incorporated. Turn out onto lightly floured surface, and form into a flat disk, about 8 inches across and 1 1/2 inches thick. Cut into 8 wedges. and transfer to baking sheet.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining egg and 3 TBSP heavy cream to make an egg wash. Brush scones with it, and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until tops are golden brown and firm, about 40-50 minutes, or 20 minutes in a scone pan.

I am oh so jealous.It's been ages since I've been around mom sans 4 tagging along.And, those scones look flippin' amazin'! Did I tell you my lemon tree now has about 15 or so lemons on it? They're the size of my thumbnail now, but by summer's end I might have enough for one glass of my new favorite cocktail, pomegranite vodka w/lemonade!

YAY for no #4! And how funny that he is visiting his sick au pair. Bwahaha, not that she's sick or dying, but that he had one. So I appreciate that #4 is a mega prick and all...but is he childless? Does he want me? I'm not much work at all. I mean, I live on my own, I go to school, maybe I could call him bi-weekly? And I'm mildly amusing...and importantly I could really use a trust fund ;) I'll make sure that when he's ready, he goes to a really nice nursing home...

Clare-Not at all! Actually, this is the first scone recipe I've seen that calls for mixer use (usually I cut in the liquids with my pastry cutter), and since I was feeling lazy the day I made these, I went with it. Plus, the scone pan I have makes them rise very nicely anyway.

Ramona-Oh, he's a nut all right.

Marie-It does explain some things, but not all! Can you tell I'm willing to cut him no slack whatsoever?

M-I know. I'm so glad!

Karrie-mmm... yummy. Can you send me some of your lemons?

Christine-LOL!!! He's not childless (he has one son who lives in Atlanta) but he might as well be, since he has very little to do with him. I will see if I can arrange for a domestic adoption, although you'll soon realize exactly why it is his son wants little to do with him!

Quick Snapshot:

34-year-old writer andmother to a daughterborn in August 2006 followingIVF and girl/boy twins born in October 2008 following FET. Come along as I document the search for my lost intellect. It's a bumpy ride. Consider yourself warned.